Australian Promoter Peter Maniatis Meets Mike Tyson

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Award-winning Australian promoter and frequent Manila visitor Peter Maniatis has met former world heavyweight champion “Iron Mike” Tyson at the Festival Hall in Melbourne during Tyson’s visit to Australia.

Maniatis told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Tyson was “very friendly and generous with his time.”

Maniatis said he spoke to Tyson about his old trainers and his second fight with Evander Holyfield when he chewed off a portion of Holyfield’s ear.

Tyson claimed “he only bit Holyfield’s ear because Holyfield would not stop head-butting him during the fight.”

He also told Maniatis that one of his “best wins was the first round knockout of undefeated Michael Spinks in the late 80s.”

Tyson who is 46 told the well-known promoter he would "never fight again and is enjoying his life as a family man with his wife and kids.”

Tyson now spends his time working on tours telling stories of his life and being a family man .

Tyson said he was impressed with Australia and plans to make another visit in the future.